be planted in the autumn in partially shady areas, and in moist soil. It can also grow in full sun if the soil stays moist. It grows in any well-drained soil which dries out in summer; hence it is often used for underplanting deciduous trees which provide the necessary conditions. It rapidly colonizes any favored location. The plant is deciduous, meaning the flowers and leaves die in the early summer. The flowers attract bees, butterflies and other pollinators. This plant and its cultivar 'White Splendour', have gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Medicinal uses Herbalists in the Middle Ages used A. blanda as treatment for gout and headaches. Due to their toxicity, they are no longer used as medications. The sky-blue petals of the plant were used for dyeing purposes by boiling them to produce a light green color. Toxicity It is considered to be poisonous if ingested in large quantities, and causes pain and irritation in the mouth. The plant can cause contact dermatitis by touching of the following poisonous parts of the plant: bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, stems, and seeds. Some other symptoms of being poisoned are inflammation, blistering from contact with fresh sap, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ecology Bees and other insects eat the nectar and pollen. References blanda Ephemeral plants Flora of Europe Flora of Asia